SOWforRFQ.docx

Statement of Work

National Geodetic Survey

Improving the Geospatial Infrastructure of the Territories of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

1.0 GENERAL

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Geodetic Survey (NGS) will conduct global positioning system (GPS) field surveys for Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). NGS is requesting quotess for vessels to berth and ferry a field crew of three (3) geodetic surveyors and their equipment to the islands of Sarigan, Alamagan, Pagan, Agrihan, Asuncion, and Maug.

NGS has set the goal of modernizing the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) by 2022. One of the more complicated aspects of this project is properly providing plate fixed coordinates for Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). This difficulty is due to the severe lack of information about the movement of the Mariana tectonic plate, upon which those two territories rest. These territories are sometimes neglected when balancing multiple priorities with limited funds. Numerous methods can be used to collect the appropriate data to determine that motion, but the least complicated is the comparison of a GPS survey of a network of points in the region against previous networks (performed in 1993 and 2003 respectively). NGS proposes to send a field crew of three (3) geodetic surveyors to Guam and CNMI for the primary purpose of performing this GPS survey.

2.0 SPECIFIC TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1 Period of Performance

The planned period of performance from date of award through September 30, 2017. The exact dates of the cruise shall be determined at a later date in consultation with the Contractor. For cruise scheduling purposes, a minimum of 7 days’ notice will be provided to the Contractor. A cruise day is defined as the vessel being at sea and engaged in ferrying or berthing the geodetic surveyors along the pre-determined route. Calendar days of less than 24 hours will be prorated at an hourly rate based on the daily rate agreed upon for the contract period. Counting of cruise days will be suspended if operations are suspended due to vessel equipment failure or the inability of the vessel and/or crew to carry out operations.

2.2 Cruise Operations

2.2.1 Field crew of three (3) geodetic surveyors and their equipment require ferrying to the islands of Sarigan, Alamagan, Pagan, Agrihan, Asuncion, and Maug. If conditions are ideal and the timeline permits, ferrying to Anatahan, Guguan, and Uracas may also be requested. The transit between islands shall be done at the vessel’s fastest speed that does not jeopardize the safety of the crew or vessel due to sea state conditions.

2.2.2 A telephone meeting with the Contractor and/or vessel captain (Master) will take place shortly after the award of the contract. This pre-cruise meeting is essential for planning the route and logistics for the survey and address any concerns or questions that either party have. Pre-cruise planning with the Master will cover the islands to be visited, dates/times to visit each island, and provide ample time for any vessel preparations (such as shipping of surveying equipment) , and implement changes (if any) to the islands to be visited. A tentative cruise schedule will be determined, in consultation with the Contractor and/or Master.

2.2.3 Prior to the commencement of the cruise, the vessel and the NGS Project Manager and/or Field Crew Leader will confirm the date, time, and location for the geodetic surveyors to meet the vessel.

2.2.4 The survey team will bring the following equipment:

· 8- wooden slip leg tripods (200lbs)

· 8- 12-volt sealed lead acid batteries (200lbs)

· 7- Shipping cases containing GPS receivers (175lbs)

· 2- Shipping cases containing a RTK GPS system (50 lbs)

· 2- Shipping case with battery chargers (25 lbs)

· 2- laptop computers. (20 lbs)

· Shipping case containing tribrachs (25 lbs)

· Shipping case with bipod (25lbs)

· Shipping case containing a relative gravimeter (30lbs)

· Buckets containing Survival equipment (60lbs) The total aggregate weight is approximately 810 lbs. The equipment will be brought aboard in hard shell cases. This equipment shall be placed in a location of the vessel that is sheltered from the elements, but accessible to the survey team.

2.2.5 The survey team shall attempt to board the vessel while docked at a marina, facility or owners pier. If an at-sea transfer is required, then the Contractor and/or Master shall ensure that measures are in place to accomplish this evolution in a safe manner, such as: via a small boat, wearing appropriate safety gear, normally during daylight hours, as weather and sea conditions permit and with the agreement of the NGS survey team involved.

2.2.6 A pre-cruise orientation meeting aboard the vessel shall be conducted for the geodetic survey team and crew regarding the vessel’s safety, firefighting and lifesaving capabilities assigned responsibilities and procedures.

2.2.7 Transferring of survey team and equipment from vessel to shore and vice-versa is provided by a small boat launch service. A crew member of the vessel shall safely operate the small boat for this service.

2.2.8 The vessel must have a minimum of three (3) crew, covering the role of Master, mate, and engineer to operate the vessel and to support ferrying and berthing operations. The Master and at least one other member of the ship’s crew must be fluent in English. While at sea, the Master is responsible for the operation of the vessel to insure the safety of the survey crew and all vessel crew members. The Field Crew Leader will be in charge of overseeing the overall schedule and routing requirements.

2.2.9 An island guide will be provided to assist mission requirements on each island which may include but not be limited to navigation, vegetation clearing, and packing equipment.

2.2.10 The Master will ensure that routes and headings to, from, and between islands, as reviewed and approved by the Field Crew Leader, are precisely navigated and maintained. Deviation from planned routes are acceptable if safety of the crew and/or vessel is in question due to inclement weather and/or dangerous sea state conditions. The Master shall be responsible at all times for the safe navigation of the vessels and for meeting overall schedule requirements.

2.2.11 The vessel shall utilize and maintain nautical charts, logs and/or computer software(s) that provide a record of the vessel’s location, operations, operating conditions and any significant vessel-related events. These charts, logs and software output(s) shall be made available upon request of the Field Crew Leader.

2.2.12 Nothing herein contained shall be construed as creating demise of the vessel to the Government. The Contractor under this contract shall retain complete and exclusive possession and operation of the vessel and its navigation.

2.3 Provisions

Storage (refrigerated and non-refrigerated) space will be provided to the Field Crew for food brought onto the vessel to prepare meals for the duration of the cruise. In addition, the Field Crew will need access to a galley or kitchen for the preparation of meals.

2.4 Emergency Medical Care, and Health

2.4.1 Medical Services.

The Contractor shall provide at least one (1) crewmember trained in first aid, CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use while underway for the duration of the contract.

2.4.2 Medical Provisions.

The contracted vessel shall be outfitted with a current first aid manual, complete first aid kit and automated external defibrillator (AED). The Contractor shall establish adequate and reasonable controls and procedures for the custody and safekeeping of all medical supplies, equipment and controlled medical substances.

2.5 Living and Working Conditions for Scientific Personnel

2.5.1 Accommodations.

All vessels chartered by NOAA shall be outfitted with accommodations for NOAA-authorized personnel at least equivalent to that which is minimally required for crew members and in keeping with good marine practice. An adequate number of staterooms, heads and showers shall be provided to accommodate the total number of persons aboard to the extent possible. All living and working spaces, including galleys, mess rooms, heads, showers, berthing spaces, passageways, lounges, recreation areas, store rooms, and laboratory spaces, shall be free of pests and vermin and shall be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition for the duration of the charter.

The vessel shall have ship service electrical, potable water, ventilation, heating or cooling, marine sanitation, and pollution control equipment of sufficient capacity to support NOAA-authorized personnel and mission-related equipment and activities. All ship service systems, ship equipment, and vital systems, shall be operational and maintained in good working order for the duration of the charter.

2.5.2 Liquor or Illegal Drugs.

During the charter period, the possession or use of intoxicating liquor and or illegal drugs by any person, aboard the vessels, is not permitted and may be grounds for termination of the Contract by the Government. The Contractor shall comply with the requirements to maintain a Drug Free Workplace contained in FAR 52.233-6. The Contractor shall comply with all the requirements of 46 CFR Part 16 for chemical Tests for dangerous drugs and alcohol.

2.5.3 Firearms.

During the cruise period, all firearms, should any be onboard, shall be kept under lock and key by the Master.

2.5.4 Smoking.

Smoking shall be prohibited in all interior spaces occupied by or utilized by the field survey team. Smoking on deck shall be in designated areas only.

2.5.5 Harassment

At no time during the vessel charter period which includes staging and destaging in-port times, shall any member of the survey team or crew member be subjected to or take part in, any acts of discrimination based on sex, disability, race, color, ethnic nationality, sexual orientation or gender identification. This includes discriminatory comments, jokes, propaganda or harassment whether directly or indirectly involving a member of the survey team or crew member.

2.5.6 Professional Work and Living Environment.

The vessel crew and participating survey team shall jointly promote a professional work and living environment free of sexism, racism, bigotry, pornography and other activities normally not tolerated in a professional work environment.

2.5.7 Potable water

Water intended for personal use and consumption that is taken, produced, or stored aboard the vessel shall be handled in accordance with applicable regulations. Potable water shall be tested and treated to maintain a pH of 6.8 to 7.8 and a residual halogen content of 0.2 ppm to 2.0 ppm free available chlorine (or equivalent) weekly. Water should be free of tastes, odors, and turbidity that would be objectionable to the majority of those on board. Alternatively, bottled water can be provided.

2.6 Passengers

The Contractor shall not permit any passengers to be transported aboard either vessel for any reason without specific approval of the contracting officer representative (COR). This restriction applies to Government employees, Contractor’s employees who are not crewmembers, survey party personnel not assigned to the field survey team and the general public.

2.7 Security

Emergency phone numbers for local port officials and law enforcement shall be available to the person on watch. Best marine practices shall be in place while underway to ensure that unauthorized personnel or craft are not permitted to approach the vessel. The Master of the vessel shall take all additional customary and reasonable precautions to ensure that no harm befalls the vessel, crew, survey team, or equipment while in port and at sea.

3.0 VESSEL REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Minimum Vessel Specifications

3.1.1 Electrical power outlets (AC 110v) available.

3.1.2 A dry storage area for survey equipment of at least 24 ft2 or 120 cubic ft.

3.1.3 A suitable, dedicated, dry counter area large enough to accommodate one laptop computer with adjacent 110/115 volt power outlets.

3.1.4 One (1) dedicated, clean, sanitary, and sufficiently ventilated berth with mattress will be provided for each survey team member. It is preferred that each crew member has a dedicated berth if possible.

3.1.5 A minimum of one head, one shower and sink with hot water that is available to survey team.

3.1.6 Adequate fresh water supply.

3.2 Electronic and Communication Equipment Requirements

3.2.1 Radios: VHF (minimum 2)

3.2.2 GPS

3.2.3 Depth sounder

3.2.4 Weather FAX capabilities desirable but not required

3.2.5 Satellite phone capability desirable but not required

3.3 Crew requirements

3.3.1 The Master shall have a minimum of three years of experience with the navigation and transportation of passengers in the navigable waters of Guam and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands.

3.4 Safety

3.4.1 Certificate of Inspection: all U.S. flag vessels chartered by NOAA shall have and shall maintain for the duration of the charter a current Certificate of Inspection, valid for the vessel’s intended service. The vessels shall meet all safety, firefighting and lifesaving equipment requirements as found in applicable sections of Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). The vessels shall be outfitted with personal floatation devices and survival craft of sufficient number and capacity to accommodate all on board including visiting scientific party and of the type required for a vessel of its size, class, and service in accordance with 46 CFR. A pre-cruise orientation meeting aboard the vessel shall be conducted for the geodetic survey team and crew regarding the vessel’s safety, firefighting and lifesaving capabilities assigned responsibilities and procedures.

3.4.2 Stability Letter: the vessel shall be of a design and shall be operated and maintained in a condition that warrants it seaworthy and stable in accordance with the American Bureau of Shipping’s Guide for Building and the 46 CFR. All vessels chartered by NOAA shall have stability information and instructions derived based on tests and calculations, in a format required by regulation applicable to the vessel’s size, type, and service. This can be evidenced by providing a copy of the stability letter award of contract.

3.4.3 Certificate of Documentation: vessel documentation is a national form of registration. It is one of the oldest functions of Government, dating back to the 11th Act of the First Congress. Documentation provides conclusive evidence of nationality for international purposes, provides for unhindered commerce between the states, and admits vessels to certain restricted trades, such as coastwise trade and the fisheries. A vessel must measure at least five net tons. Vessels of five net tons or more used in fishing activities on navigable waters of the US or in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), or used in coastwise trade must be documented unless the vessel is exempt from documentation. Coastwise trade is generally defined as the transportation of merchandise or passengers between points in the US or the EEZ. If a chartered vessel is transporting passengers within the EEZ of the CNMIs, then a Certificate of Documentation shall be provided if the vessel is registered as such with the U.S. Coast Guard.

3.4.4 Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC): is a credential issued by the United States Coast Guard in accordance with guidelines of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) to United States seafarers in order to show evidence of a mariner's qualifications. To show evidence of the STCW qualifications, the MMC shall be provided, at a minimum, for the Master. Any additional crew members that hold an MMC, shall be provided for the contract.

3.4.5 A navigational watch shall be maintained at all times while the vessel is at sea. The vessel must have an emergency source of electrical power, independent of the main source of electrical power, to provide power to emergency loads in accordance with USCG or the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirements for a vessel of its size, type, and service. At a minimum, the chartered vessel shall have a means to provide emergency power to the following equipment: emergency lighting, navigation equipment, navigation lights, general alarm systems, and emergency communication systems and equipment. The emergency source of electrical power must be capable of supplying connected emergency loads continuously for at least three hours and must be located in a space or locker other than the engine room. Batteries of sufficient size and capacity may serve as an adequate source of emergency power.

4.0 IT SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

The Assessment and Authorization (A&A) requirements of Clause 48 CFR 1352.239-72 do not apply, and a Security Accreditation Package is not required.

The contractor will not access, store, process or transmit any government privileged information. The contractor will not have access to any non-public government information, systems and/or networks.

5.0 GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY

N/A.

6.0 DELIVERABLES

Following is a schedule of administrative deliverables required during the period of performance of this contract:

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